Academics

Connections 20067. Philosophy and Politics of Law

Students in these connected courses will study the theoretical and political underpinnings of American (and sometimes British) law. Of all the possible areas of that law, American Constitutional law admits most readily to philosophical and political inquiry; and for this reason, the courses in this connection focus much of their attention on that area. The most controversial and profound discussions of rights, of tensions between the federal government and the states, and of the roles of various branches and departments of our government are all grounded in political and philosophical theories. These theories, which Supreme Court Justices and other judges employ often in deciding cases, play a central role in these connected courses. And while the Philosophy courses employ different methodologies than do the Political Science courses, those methodologies complement each other and together provide students with a deeper and more sophisticated view of the law than they would have otherwise. These complementary approaches help students appreciate not only how our system of law actually works, but also how one might go about justifying its structure and its practices–or arguing for their reform.

Connections:PHIL 260How Judges Reason
or PHIL 265Philosophy of Law
andPOLS 341Constitutional Law I: The Supreme Court and the Constitution
or POLS 351Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Connected Courses

A consideration of fundamental issues in the conception and practice of law in the United States. Emphasis on the analysis of forms of legal reasoning; designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the judicial process.

A survey of key issues in legal philosophy and legal theory, such as the nature of law, the role of the ethical in the law and punishment theory. Materials will draw on the social sciences as well as philosophy to develop a framework for study of legal institutions across cultures.

A study of the politics of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Constitution, with analyses and debates on major Supreme Court decisions on the powers of the president, Congress and the courts, the proper role of national and state governments in a federal system, and the guarantee of a republican form of government.

A study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, with analyses and debates on affirmative action, equal protection, abortion rights, freedom of speech and religion, government searches and seizures, privacy, private property rights, capital punishment, the right to die and related issues.